Conscious shopping may be a strange concept for many, but at its core remains a simple approach when using your purchasing power: having a more active shopping experience, through more informed and mindful decisions. Conscious consumers are actively aware of their purchases, consider the transparency and social impact of companies, and focus on the long-term or “big picture” effects of purchases.

Are you curious about how to shop consciously? Here are five basic habits of conscious consumers that you can apply to your own shopping.

For the last few years, I’ve compiled tons of green beauty deals for Black Friday. As I’ve committed myself to making more ethical, sustainable, and minimalist purchases, my perspective on Black Friday is a bit different. My hope is that talking about it will encourage others to feel the same.

Maybe it’s the annual arrival of spring cleaning or that dreaded need to purge old clothes, but every day I anxiously look into my cluttered closet and feel overwhelmed. Sometimes I want to give away all my clothes and start anew. As a regular contributor for Ecouterre, I’m constantly following the latest in eco-fashion and design, though it’s been hard to apply everything I see and learn in the industry to my own personal habits. I’ve been trying to shopethically when it comes to fashion, donate unworn or old clothes, and revamp my wardrobe into one that reflects minimalism and quality pieces.

Out of many things that irritate me on a normal basis, one of my biggest pet peeves is when cashiers automatically assume I’d like a plastic bag with my purchase. The scene of the crime is usually at the grocery store and more often than not, I either have to stop everything and re-pack my items into reusable bags I brought with me, or stomp off with a handful of plastic bags feeling defeated and upset.

As a fellow deal-hunter, last year I decided to compile the best Black Friday deals I found for some of my favorite green beauty products and brands. Some of the best deals can be had during this holiday weekend and actually, some great pre-Black Friday deals are happening right now! I purchased a lot of things off my wishlist and discovered great, new products at amazing prices last year. I had so much fun sharing and updating my massive list of Black Friday/Cyber Monday promos that I’m doing it again this year!

Happy Shopping! Check out this year’s deals below: (Come back to this post as I will continue to update with more deals and details as I find them throughout the holiday weekend! )

Since I started going green with my beauty and skincare products, I’ve done a lot of online shopping (and I mean, A LOT). As someone who absolutely hates online shopping– I’m a touch-smell-feel-try-in-store kinda gal, I thought it’d be helpful to share my experiences with various online, one-stop green beauty shops across the spectrum. I love shopping from brands themselves (it always feels like a nice personal interaction) but, someones general green beauty shops are just more convenient with all the brands and products to shop from in one place.

Socially conscious, quality, hassle-free shopping? There’s an app for that!Orange Harpis a new iOS app thatmakes eco-friendly, ethical shopping easy and convenient on a smartphone.Created by two women, programmer Anbu Anbalagapandian and attorney Kacie Gonzalez, Orange Harp is a carefully curated digital marketplace that features ethical, quality-made products from socially responsible brands. Simply download Orange Harp for free from the iTunes app store, create an account, and shop away! Orange Harp is currently only available on Apple products (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)and not on Android devices. To try out the app, I downloaded and tried it out on my friend’s iPhone.

I told myself I would be good this Black Friday/Cyber Monday and looking back on the list of things that I did buy for myself, it doesn’t look too bad. (Right, riiiight?) And I did pick up some gifts for my family and friends for the holidays too! Not going to list those, just in case…

I couldn’t pass up all the great sales on green beauty must-haves that I wanted to try, here’s what I purchased this year (prices listed reflect current product prices):

1. Dr. Sponge Facial Cleansing Sponge-I’ve been wanting to try these cute little konjac sponges out for a while so I picked up the Pearl Powder one for myself during the sale at Abe’s Market. They come in a variety of colors/functions. Konjac sponges are dervied from the Asian konjac plant which has been proven to nourish and exfoliate the skin naturally and gently. The Pearl Powder Dr. Sponge claims to even out skin tone, reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration, and enhance skin radiance.($8.50)

2. Meow Meow Tweet Beer Shampoo Bar Soap- I was very intrigued by this unique bar of soap that can be used to nourish hair as well as the body. Comprised of natural and organic ingredients: “Jojoba oils and hempseed oils condition the hair and scalp, while beer promotes shiny, bright hair. Aloe vera moisturizes, softens and detangles hair.” Plus, it smells awesome! The Brooklyn-based, all natural, vegan and cruelty-free brand also has the cutest handmade, sustainable packaging! ($9)

3. Osmia Organics Detox Exfoliating Mask, Spot Treatment and Lavender Mint Soap- It took me awhile to choose what to purchase from Osmia because I wanted everything! (Still do.) I’m a mad facial mask woman so I had to have the Detox Exfoliating Mask ($50), whose main ingredients consist of 3 types of purifying clay, nourishing raw cacao and manuka honey, and toxin-removing activated bamboo charcoal. The Spot Treatment ($20) was another no-brainer, beloved by many a green beauty enthusiast. A mix of essential oils, the Treatment powerfully clears blemishes while healing the skin. I had to purchase a gorgeous, handmade soap and the Lavender Mint ($12) mixture sounded lovely and calming.

4. May Lindstrom Skin The Problem Solver-Another facial mask that I had dying to try. This May Lindstrom Skin essential has been dubbed a staple for every green beauty. After I purchased and fell in love with the line’s exfoliating cleanser, The Clean Dirt I knew I’d have to try out The Problem Solver as well. “A jet-black fusion of antioxidant-rich raw cacao, healing bamboo charcoal, soil nutrients, salts, and exotic warming spices go deep on a mission to reveal your most radiant self.” ($90)

5. 100% Pure Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration SPF 20 Moisturizer- I’ve always loved 100% Pure products due to their ingredients and mission for truely natural products. On Cyber Monday, the brand had a bunch of products on sale for only $10 each and I needed a new daily moisturizer plus it has sun protection, enough said. ($26)

6. H.Gillerman Organics Jaw Clenching Remedy and Stress Remedy- I met Hope Gillerman during that crazy crowded event, A Night for Green Beauty but I was so intrigued by her organic essential oil blends specially to relieve stress-related mind/body issues. I didn’t grab any products during the event and regretted it ever since. I’d had my eye on the Jaw Clenching Remedy (yup, I’m a jaw clencher by night) and the acclaimed Stress Remedy. I admired Hope Gillerman’s knowledge and passion for her products that I know these products will be of great use to me. ($48 each)

7. ILLUME Candles, Gilded Amberleaf Candle Tin-I’ve been dying to switch to more ethically-sourced, eco-friendly candles and I couldn’t pass up purchasing some gorgeous ILLUME candles on sale. These candles are handcrafted from 100% natural soy blend with beeswax, essential oils and a cotton wick. This particular scent features warm scents, “Rich cedarwood and golden amber are infused with mandarin, vetiver, vanilla and tobacco” and the gold and white accented tin holder will surely be sititing pretty in any room. ($18)

8. Honeybee Gardens JobaColors Eyeliner in Jet Set- I’ve been looking for a good, natural eyeliner that doesn’t smudge or drag yet wasn’t so expensive. Derived from a jojoba-based formula, this organic eyeliner has been seemed like a good option to try next. I couldn’t pass up the deal for it at Organic Beauty Talk’s Holiday Shop during Black Friday. ($8.99)

Did you snap up any good deals on Black Friday/Cyber Monday? Tell me, I want to know what you got too!

*Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links that do not cost anything to click or purchase through but purchasing through these links do help support this site.

Take advantage of these great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from the best organic/natural brands below. I’ll be updating this list as often as I can! This is a great time to try some new products or gift some green beauty to friends and family. What will you be stocking up on this year?

MIYU Beauty: The company pairs organic, botanical-based skincare products with specially curated teas that improves skin from the inside out. 25% off with code BFCMMIYU5, 11/29 through 12/2.

No More Dirty Looks: 15% off all Tata Harperskincare, free shipping on all orders over $40 through 12/4 plus: Free Deluxe Rejuvenating Serum with any purchase over $250, code BFS, Free Deluxe Boosted Contouring Serum with any purchase over $500, code BFB, Free Be Adored Lip Treatment with orders over $500. code ADORED

Nourish Organic: 50% off entire site only on Friday, 11/29 with code GREEN50. Free shipping on orders $50 or more.

Olie Biologique:Free shipping if you order Olie’s new All-Natural Whisker Shave Oil. Use code: MrWhisker, great for that special mister in your life!

Organic Beauty Talk: Curated, handcrafted, organic products, 25% off and free shipping through 11/29. 15% off w/ SHOPSMALL15 for Shop Small Business Saturday 11/30 20% off entire site for Cyber Monday, use code CYBER20, free ground shipping on all US orders.

Can you believe it’s Thanksgiving? We’ve even already had a bit of snow in these parts and the holiday season is just around the corner. Though it can be hard to resist the pressures of holiday shopping and insane “holiday” marketing ploys, remember to spend this season with the ones you love and to make your own holiday memories. Be thankful for all that you’ve been bless with, share moments with loved ones and spread love and kindness to those in need.

The best Thanksgiving TV episodes including some good oldies Full House, Gilmore Girls, Friends and The OC — Wet Paint

Love fashion and books? Me too. Check out this cool list of good reads paired with sartorial picks that best embody the stories and their characters– Refinery 29

A ton of Thanksgiving leftovers are always the result of my family’s Thanksgiving feast! But we’re definitely in need of some new Tupperware. This list features the top 10 leftover containers to have this holiday season– Domaine Home

Will you be out shopping with the crazy crowds this Black Friday? If so, keep these tips in mind on how to be a green consumer on Black Friday– Groovy Green Livin

Swedish fast fashion retailer, H&M pledges to provide living wages for all their garment workers at factories in Cambodia and Bangladesh by 2018– Ecouterre

For all you bibliophiles like me, a copy of the first English-language book ever printed in America just sold for over $14 million at Sothebys on Tuesday, making it the world’s most expensive book– Business Insider

This gorgeous, limited edition gold-based illuminator and lipgloss set from ILIA Beauty is perfect for upcoming holiday events and a great gift idea– ILIA Beauty